 The possibility of a forfeiture of their enfranchised position made the burgesses on the whole fairly submissive.In the 13th century London repeatedly was "taken into the king's hand," subjected to heavy fines and put under the constable of the Tower.In the 15th century disturbances in the boroughs led to the creation of new constitutions, some of which were the outcome of royal charters, others the result of parliamentary legislation.